The largest of the flats quarry we hunt here in the Keys. Reaching up to and even over 200lbs. Most fish we find and hook up are in the 60-120lb. range and even the little guys in the 10-40lb. range are plenty good for big fun.
There are two kinds of tarpon we target here in the Keys, back country fish and ocean fish.
Ocean fish are not as hard to spot as bones or permit, once spotted and path of travel determined the angler should cast well ahead of the fish at a slight angle to the fishes line of travel. With rod tip down and pointing where the fly entered the water, be ready to make minor adjustments to fly position as the fish approaches. As the fish closes on the fly start “bumping the fly” with short slow to medium strips increasing in speed and length of strips as the fish nears. The take is usually very visual. It is paramount that you be patient at this point. Keep stripping when the tarpon “kicks” its tail and overtakes the fly. You can speed up the strip but don’t lift or swing the rod and don’t stop stripping until the line is tight. Once the line is tight let ‘em have it! With the line control hand give a hard long strip and get ready, it’s about to hit the fan. Almost always the fish will immediately jump. This part is critical; you must “bow to the king.” The best technique, I feel, is to stick the rod tip down and forward into the water holding the line with light pressure in your line control hand. (Be sure not to step off the bow of the boat.) After the jump, gain composure and be ready for a screaming run or more jumps or a combination of both. When the fish jumps repeat the thrusting forward and down motion. The tendency to stand up straight and watch this incredible fish go nuts is strong, but if you do, you will most likely lose the fish.
After the first five minutes, give or take, it is time to apply max pressure. (Andy Mill has written a few things on the subject of fight a tarpon that are definitely worth reading.) If you can apply “maximum hurt” right out of the gate on the fish, it will diminish dramatically the time it takes to bring the fish to the boat. 20 minutes is the goal. After that the pain starts. If you allow the fish to think it can beat you it will double its efforts and you could be into a 1-2 hour battle. You don’t want that. You want to get out there and jump another fish.